Strangers become Friends over a cup of Chai

When I lived in New York City, I lived on East 26th Street between Lexington and Third avenues. There are really two things this area is known for. The first is being by Baruch University (also not far from Bellevue Hospital for the New Amsterdam fans out there). The second is being called "Little India" as there are many wonderful Indian restaurants, a few speciality grocery stores and Textile shop which sold imported fabrics and even made Saris! There were so many wonderful shops and restaurants that the city even created designated TAXI relief areas on Lexington so the many Indian, Pakistani and Bangladesh drivers could stop for meals and grocery needs! 

The owner of the Textile shop was someone so warm and wonderful, I would refer to her as "My Indian Grandmother" because her eyes lite up every time I would see her in the neighborhood or stop in her store. She actually had two store fronts near each other. Then one day, one of the two shops with a bigger window front was boarded up and my heart sank and I stopped into one of the smaller restaurants, DesiGalli,  to inquire with the proprietor if she knew what may have happened. When I asked if she knew what happened to the lady that ran the shop around the corner, I was quickly offered a seat and a cup of Chai. I was so relieved to hear that "Grandmother" was just consolidating into one store front! Due to this interaction, DesiGalli's owner, Priavada, and I become friends. I guess partly because of the fact I was a true neighbor caring about what went on in my community but also I was a frequent diner at DesiGalli! 

As a Chatham University alumni I love doing things to help support women owned businesses, and Priavada is close to my age, (actually she is younger!)  So of all the places and people I miss deeply from my NYC 'hood, it is definitely these two wonderful inspiring women, plus many of my apartment building neighbors too! 

Now, thanks to INSTAGRAM I found out not only is Privada doing well during the pandemic, as a restauranteur she came up with an amazing concept and is helping people with ways of bringing a taste of India into their homes, NATIONWIDE!

So if you love the Meal Kit Delivery cook at home programs, and you want to learn more about Indian cooking, check out DesiGali's new offering to the market: DG Pantry !  And Priavada let me know that they have a Kolkata Chai Co. Meal Kit kit so I can order one and FaceTime with her to catch up again over a lovely cup of tea!

I hope this might inspire someone to try her meal delivery and pantry shopping service! 

Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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